ParticipACTION will make the first stop in Newfoundland and Labrador on their cross-Canada tour to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday with the 150 Play List. Today, the Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development, was joined by Elio Antunes, President and CEO of ParticipACTION, to take part in the festivities in St. John’s.

The ParticipACTION 150 Play List is the ultimate list of 150 physical activities that make us Canadian. Running from January to December 2017, Canadians in communities, schools, workplaces, and even abroad can register online to see how many different activities they can complete throughout the year for an opportunity to win great prizes and experience new activities.

The final Play List was created by Canadians who registered over 465,000 votes in creating the shortlist of 150 activities. The Play List includes sports, recreation activities, games as well as daily activities, such as hopscotch, hiking, Boccia and horseback riding, just to name a few.

The ParticipACTION Play List crew will be at Bowring Park in St. John’s today from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. On Friday, August 25, they will be in Terra Nova National Park and on Saturday, August 26 the crew will be at Cobb’s Pond Rotary Park in Gander. During the event in Gander, ParticipACTION will also present the Chevrolet Gift of Play award – a monetary donation to a community organization. All events are open to the public and free of charge.

For a full list of scheduled activities please see the backgrounder below.

Quotes
“Healthy active living is such an important part of our daily lives, as we see the benefits it creates. We are proud of our continued partnership with ParticipACTION, and our shared goal to increase physical activity levels of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. I encourage residents, both young and old, to try a new activity from the 150 Play List or organize a challenge in your own community.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development

“There are so many ways to be active in this country, and the ParticipACTION Play List hopes everyone in Newfoundland and Labrador will join us in trying to complete them all. By encouraging Canadians to try new activities and find the ones they love, ParticipACTION hopes to remind people that physical activity isn’t just good for our physical and emotional health; it’s a part of who we are as Canadians. ”
Elio Antunes
President & CEO, ParticipACTION

The ParticipACTION crew will be set up near the Bowring Park pool and splash pad. Hi-Performance Taekwondo will host free classes and demonstrations from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. There will be open swims at the pool from 2:15 to 3:00 p.m., 3:15 to 4:00 p.m. and 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Easter Seals Newfoundland and Labrador will be on site providing an opportunity to try Boccia, a Paralympic sport similar to lawn bowling and curling that can be played by anyone. The St. John’s Native Friendship Centre will also be on site from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. to host a drum circle.

Parks Canada will join the ParticipACTION team at campfire circle in Terra Nova National Park for a day of Play List activities. Parks Canada will have bird watching equipment, such as binoculars and birding books, for audiences to use. Additionally, Andy Poole will be hosting a mountain bike demonstration from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Also, Wanda Keats will be running a free Pound fitness class for all ages from 1:30 to 2:00 p.m. and a Zumba class from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.

ParticipACTION will be hosting a community event in partnership with the City of Gander and with the support of local organizations who will be facilitating some of the Play List activities. Airials Gymnastics, a local club, will have interactive gymnastics equipment for attendees to try. The local running and paddling club will do a ‘learn to run’ demo and have kayaks available to try on Cobb’s Pond free of charge. Finally, there will be a Just Breathe yoga session taking place at 2:00 p.m.